# What size should a QR code be? Print size guide

> As a rule of thumb a QR code can be scanned from about ten times its width, so a 3 cm code works at about 30 cm. Keep each module (the small square) at least 0.33 mm, and ideally 0.5 mm or more, and always leave a quiet zone of four modules around the code.

Canonical page: https://kizmo.io/guides/qr-code-size-guide

Updated 2026-09-27.

## The 10:1 rule

Scanning distance is roughly ten times the width of the code. Work backwards from where people will stand:

| Placement | Typical distance | Minimum width |
|---|---|---|
| Business card | 15-20 cm | 20 mm |
| Table tent, menu | 30-40 cm | 30-40 mm |
| Counter sign | 50-80 cm | 50-80 mm |
| Window, poster | 1-2 m | 100-200 mm |
| Billboard, banner | 5 m+ | 500 mm+ |

## Why content length matters

A longer link means more modules. At the same printed width, each module gets smaller and harder for a camera to resolve. That is why a short dynamic code (`KIZMO.IO/Q/K7Q2MX`) prints smaller than a long tracking URL. Kizmo also writes short links in capitals so the code can use QR's compact alphanumeric mode.

## Module size

Printers and cameras both struggle below about 0.33 mm per module. The [Kizmo generator](/qr-code-generator) calculates module size for your chosen print width and warns you before you print.

## The quiet zone

Leave empty space of four modules on every side. Without it, a busy background can stop the camera from finding the code at all.


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Kizmo: QR codes you own. https://kizmo.io/